Audible signal



A. F. GILLET AUDIBLE SIGNAL June 26, 1934.

Filed March 24. 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet l Fig. l.

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AUDIBLE S IGNAL Filed March 24. 1933 2 sheets-sheet 2 Fzg. 7.

.35 55X, Il l 3nventor Gttorneg Patented June 26, 1934 UNITED STATESAUDIBLE SIGNAL Alexis F. Gillet, Omaha, Nebr.; assigner to JubileeManufacturing Co., Omaha, Nebr., a corporation of Nebraska ApplicationMarch 24, 1933, Serial No. 662,510

Claims.

The present invention relates to signals and more particularly toaudible signals adapted for use in connection with motor vehicleswhereby pedestrians may be warned of the approach of 5 the vehicle, saidsignal or sounding device being adapted to be operated by fluidpressure, such as air.

An aim of the invention is to provide a novel construction of signalwhich may be connected l@ to the intake manifold of an internalcombustion engine whereby the suction generated by the pistons isutilized for operating the signal, said signal being adapted to emitmusical notes or blend the same into a musical chord, the amplifyinghorns of the device being such that they are adapted to be positioned inuse within a restricted space as between the intake manifold of anautomobile engine and the hood thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a structurecomprising an improvement over my Patent No. 1,869,142 issued July 26,1932 for Warning signal.

A further object is to provide a construction wherein a plurality ofvibrating reeds are grouped upon La single disc whereby a single suctionbox is so arranged that it will serve a plurality of reeds and soundchambers, for the overall purpose of providing greater economy inmanufacture, compactness of assembly and improved blending of tones.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention will be morefully described hereinafter, and will be more particularly pointed outin the claims appended hereto.

In the drawings, wherein like symbols refer to like or correspondingparts throughout the several views: y

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation, partly in section of a motorvehicle having an internal combustion engine, and with an audible signalconstructed in accordance with the present invention operatively carriedthereon.

Figure 2 is a vertical section taken through the audible signal, certainof the amplifying horns thereof being broken away.

Figure 3 is a side view of an interchangeable assembly of amplifyinghorns.

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view thereof.

Figure 5 is an edge View of a screen employed.

Figure 6 is a plan View of the screen.

Figure '7 is a side view of the cover o-f the sound chambers.

Figure 8 is a bottom plan view of the inside of the member shown inFigure 7 and showing a plurality of sound chambers.

Figure 9 is an edge view of an apertured reed carrying diaphragm disc. f

Figure 10 is a top plan view of the disc shown 50 in Figure 9.

Referring now to the drawings and first to Figure 1, 10 indicates thebody or a motor vehicle provided with a steering column 11 supportingthe steering wheel 12 at its upper end '65 and 13 designates a hoodwithin which is housed an internal combustion engine 14 of any suitabletype and provided with an intake manifold l5.

The audible signal or sounding device includes a body portion or bracket16 which may be substantially cruciform as shown in Figures 1 and 2 andprovided at its lower end with an externally threaded main section 17adapted to be tapped into the upper or other suitable portion of themanifold 15 as shown in Figure 1 so as to establish communicationbetween the interior of the body bracket 16 and the manifold. The bodybracket is provided with screw threads 18 which are also external so asto receive thereover a nut 19 which is secured by any suitable means tothe bottom 20 of a suction box later mentioned. Y

As best shown in Figure 2, the bottom member 20 is of dish form andprovided with an an- 85 nular flange 21 which is substantially parallelwith the main portion of the bottom member.

A reed disc 22, best shown in Figures 9 and 10, is carried upon the ange21 of the member n 20, whereby a suction box or space 23 is pro- 90vided between the disc 22 and the bottom member 20 wherein the laterdescribed reeds have reciprocable vibratory movements.

As best shown in Figure 10, a plurality of reed apertures 24 are formedthrough the disc 22, v95 said apertures preferably being offrustro-conical shape in plan, the bases thereof lying toward theperimeter of the disc 22.

As best shown in Figure 2, the reeds 25 are of greater length than thereed receiving apertures v 24 and are secured to the bottom of the disc22 by means of rivets 26. As best shown in Figure 10, the reeds are ofthe same shape as the apertures 2i and adapted to snugly close theapertures. It will be understood that the reeds Y r25 and apertures 24are of selected different sizes for purposes later mentioned. ,x

A cover 27 of inverted bowl shape is vplaced over the disc 22 andprovided with a down-turned locking flange 28. It will be understoodthat dur- Aing the operation of assembling the parts of the device theflange 28 is, prior to said time, positioned at a substantial rightangle with respect to the main body portion of the cover 27 and that, asbest shown in Figure 2, the edge of the flange is bent as at 29 wherebythe cover 27 and the bottom member are locked together with the reeddisc 22 therebetween, which provides an economical construction andinsures that the comparatively delicate reeds 25 will not becometampered with for affecting certain desirable results as latermentioned.

The cover 27 is formed of an integral piece of metal by means of dieoperations whereby, as shown in Figure 8, a plurality of sound chambers33 are provided. Centrally of the cover 27 and the disc 22 an adjustablescrew 30 is provided for purposes later mentioned. As shown in Figure 8,the cover 27 includes three radially disposed ribs 31, an aperture 32being positioned centrally of the cover at the junction of the ribs,said aperture being adapted to receive the screw which is threaded intothe diaphragm disc 22 as shown in Figure 2.

The bottom surfaces of the ribs 31, if not formed perfectly smoothduring the die pressing operation, are subsequently ground smoothwhereby the bottom surfaces of said ribs are in alignment with respectto each other and in alignment with the top surface of the diaphragmreed disc 22 and adapted to lie snugly against it at times when theparts are assembled as shown in Figure 2. The ribs 3l are formed bystriking up a plurality of portions of the cover 27 for providing aplurality of sound chambers 33 which are adapted to be closed fromcommunication with respect to each other by tightening the screw 30 orto have intercommunication above the disc 22 by means of loosening thescrew 30 to permit the central portion of the diaphragm disc 22 to moveaway from the ribs 31. Each sound chamber 33 is provided with anaperture 34 adjacent the junction of the radially disposed ribs 31,permitting communication between the later mentioned amplifying hornsand the sound chambers 33.

A screen 35 of ne mesh, shown in Figures 5 and 6, is placed over theapertures 34 of the sound chambers for preventing debris from enteringtherein and interfering with the movements of the reeds or changing thepitch or harmony of the sound as later mentioned.

A plate 36 is adapted to be removably secured, for purposes latermentioned, over the screen 35 by means of removable threaded screws 37and centrally of the sound chamber cover plate 27.

As best shown in Figure 4 the plate 36 is provided with a plurality ofapertures 38 so arranged that they are in register with the apertures 34of the cover 27. The apertures 38 are formed through the plate 36 bymeans of a die operation, during which flanges 39 are struck outwardlyfrom the plate, the junction of the flanges and the plate being slightlyarcuate.

The apertures 38 are adapted to receive the smaller ends of theamplifying horns 40 which, as best shown in Figure 2, are peened andbent outwardly at their smaller ends as at 41 to conform to the arcuateshape provided at the junction of the flanges 39 and the plate 36whereby the horns are immovably secured to the plate. As best shown inFigure 3, the horns 40 are of assorted lengths and diameters at theirbells 42 or large ends for purposes later mentioned.

It is well known that music is rhythmic sound,

air pulses occurring at regular intervals and at different rates persecond creating different tones having different rates of vibrations ordifferent pitch. When several tones of different pitch sound together,their vibrations or waves overlap, and form compound waves, so that atone instant a fraction of one set of Waves predominates; in the nextinstant a fraction of another set. As these different fractions followone another at a very rapid rate we receive the sensation of a chord, orof a single mass of sound either of harmony or disharmony.

It will be understood that, as heretofore mentioned, the reeds are ofdifferent size and therefore adapted to vibrate at different rates persecond whereby a musical tone or chord may be produced and so arrangedthat the mass of sound will be harmonious. It will be also understoodthat, as above described, a plurality of individual sound chambers areprovided adapted to emit sounds of varying pitch and operated from acommon source as later' mentioned.

The horizontally disposed arms of the cruciform body portion or bracket16 are provided with a bore 43 which is in communication with a bore 44,adjacent the threaded main section 17 of the bracket. A similar bore 45is provided in alignment with the bore 44 whereby a communication ispermitted between the manifold 15 of the engine and the suction box 23beneath the reeds at times when a slidable valve rod 46 permits thesame.

The valve rod is received in the bore 43 of the horizontally disposedarms of the bracket 16 and provided with a notched portion 47 which ispreferably annular. An end of the valve rod 46 is provided with a Cotterpin 48 or similar detent and a washer 49. An expansible spring 50 ispositioned between the washer and an adjacent portion of the bracket,whereby the washer 49 and valve rod are normally urged outwardly fromthe bracket. The rod is also provided with a bail or link 51 which ispivotally secured and may be attached to a pull rod 52 of any suitableconstruction, the latter, as best shown in Figure 1, being slidablymounted upon a bracket 53 secured to the steering column 11 and suitablypositioned beneath the steering wheel 12. The rod 52 may have a pullring 54 to facilitate engagement and pulling of the rod 52 forretracting the valve 46 against the tension of the spring 50.

In operation the valve rod 46 being retracted until its notch 47 is inalignment with the bores 44 and 45, a communication therebetween isestablished, the suction provided by the reciprocating movements of thepistons within the engine causing downward vibratory movements of thereeds as shown in Figure 2. The reeds are formed of resilient material,preferably steel. The said suction will cause the reeds to vibrate andgenerate a tone within the sound chambers which becomes ampliiied andemitted through the horns 40. It will be noted that the suction box 23is common to the reeds and sound chambers whereby a uniform amount ofsuction is applied to the reeds from a common source whereby the tone isimproved. Also that the reeds are carried on a disc common to the reedswhereby the tone Value is further enhanced and an economicalconstruction provided.

Referring to Figure 10, it will be understood that the reed of smallestsize will vibrate rst,

lbeing weaker is more susceptible to being moved latter being thelargest will vibrate last and will also have fewer Vibrations per secondand be of lower pitch than the adjacent smaller reeds.

It will be understood that by this arrangement one note will soundslightly prior to the other, although the notes will sound substantiallyat the .same time, whereby a blend and mass of tone is provided which ispleasing to the ear of the operator as well as the pedestrian beingwarned thereby.

In instances when the instrument or device will not t under the hood ofa certain automobile on account of the length of the horns or should theoperator desire a louder or softer toned horn, the horn amplifiers 40together with their carrying disc 36 may be removed and shorter hornssubstituted having bells of diierent shape and length for consummatingsaid purposes.

Also by removing the screws 37 the plate 36 and the horns carriedthereby may be removed and readily replaced in a new location in orderthat the sound generated by a certain reed may be provided with a louderor softer amplification thus emphasizing a selected note to suit thedesires of the operator.

If desired the set screw 30 may be loosened or loosely applied forcausing suction to be applied to the central portion of the diaphragmdisc 22 for imparting slight vibratory movements to the disc and varyingthe pitch of the notes.

It will be understood that initially the reeds are so selected that aplurality thereof will not only provide selected various tones, and thatthe latter will be such tones as are harmonious in sound to the averageear.

It is obvious that the form and material of the elements as well astheir particular arrangement can be varied without departing from thespirit of the invention, and it is to be understood that the inventionis limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:-

1. An audible signal comprising a body portion provided with a valve andadapted for connection with a source of suction, a suction box carriedby the body portion, a plurality of sound chambers provided with soundoutlets, a disc between the suction box and sound chambers provided witha plurality of apertures arranged to establish communication between thesound chambers and the suction box, said apertures being of differentareas with respect to each other, and vibratable reeds in register withthe apertures and adapted to aid in the generation of tones of differentpitch.

2. An audible signal comprising a body portion provided with a valve andadapted for connection with a source of suction, a suction box carriedby the body portion, a plurality of sound chambers provided with soundoutlets, a disc between the suction box and sound chambers provided witha plurality of apertures arranged to establish communication between thesound chambers and the suction box, said apertures being of differentareas with respect to each other, vibratable reeds in register with theapertures and adapted to aid in the generation of tones of diierentpitch, and a screen arranged to prevent debris from entering the sou-ndchambers through their outlets.

3. An audible signal comprising a body portion provided with a valve andadapted for connection with a source of suction, a suction box carriedby the body portion, a plurality of sound chambers provided with soundamplifying horns, a disc between the suction box and sound chambersprovided with a plurality of apertures arranged to establishcommunication between the sound chambers and the suction box, saidapertures being of different areas with respect to each other, andvibratable reeds in register with the apertures and adapted to aid inthe generation of tones of different pitch.

4. An audible signal comprising a body portion provided with a valve andadapted for connection with a source of suction, a suction box carriedby the body portion, a plurality of sound chambers provided withamplifying horns of assorted sizes and carried by a removable plate, adisc between the suction box and sound chambers provided with aplurality of apertures arranged to establish communication between thesound chambers and the suction box, said apertures being of diierentareas with respect to each other, and vibratable reeds in register withthe apertures and adapted to aid in the generation of tones of differentpitch, said plate being adapted to be selectively arranged with respectto the sound chambers whereby a selected tone may be amplified to agreater degree than another tone emitted by the signal.

5. An audible signal comprising a body portion provided with a valve andadapted for connection with a source of suction, a suction box carriedby the body portion, a plurality of sound chambers provided with soundoutlets, a diaphragm disc between the suction box and sound chambersprovided with a plurality of apertures arranged to establishcommunication between the sound chambers and the suction box, saidapertures being of different areas with respect to each other,vibratable reeds in register with the apertures and adapted to aid inthe generation of tones of different pitch, and means for varying theflexibility of said disc for changing the sound of said tones.

ALEXIS F. GILLET.

